1968 Chevy Camaro SS 427 - Le Mans Blue
Discussion
Back in spring / summer 1982, I had a pal called Graham Lumley ( Graham are you out there ?? ) from Stratford East London who ran a metallic brown 67/68 Camaro 327. It was jacked up @ the rear and looked awesome. I've wanted one ever since! We hooned about together, me in my very quick Daytona yellow Capri NK1 3000GT ( EVC 289L Where Are You Now ?? )
So imagine my shock and surprise when by chance i found this beast!!
It's on it way across the pond and will be here in January. To say that my Son and I are " Excited " is an under statement !!
Bought it via photos and a video of it driving, from a dealers in CA whom we know well, so we aren't expecting too many surprises. We don't yet know its exact spec, until we contact the previous owner. However a bit of " sleuthing" has uncovered that it's " Production date was 03/20/1968. Its original delivery Dealer was dealer code 164 in Zone 2.
The Dealer was " Dworkin Chevrolet Inc, of Derby, Connecticut. A quick search showed that Dworkins were established in circa 1963. But in 2011, they were in trouble and appear to be no longer in bussiness, which is a great shame.
The cars spec as far as we know is
427CU motor 4 speed Muncie M21 manual gear box.
Alloy Edelbrock Performer ( most likely RPM ) cylinder heads, an Edelbrock Performer ( most likely an RPM ) Intake manifold, most probably a matching Edelbrock ( RPM ) camshaft, big bore Headers ( Hooker hopefully ) and a whacking great Holley carb ( guessing an 750 or 850cfm )
It has an MSD ignition.
In 1994, I built a very quick 350cu motor for my 69 Stingray, using Edelbrock rpm cam and intake manifold, but using smog heads ( as I ran out of ££ ) but it still went Very well.
Guessing the power output of this 427 Camaro will be circa 450hp with the torque of a battleship ! A typical Big Block motor weighs circa 200
Lbs more than say a 5.7 Litre small block, but the alloy heads will shave a lot of weight off of what is going to be a nose heavy car.
Initial thoughts were to build a replica of the 1971 / 72 Wiggins Teape / Malcolm Gartlan Racing Z-28 Camaro. But this one looks to be Way too clean / pretty to modify.
However, we will be removing the current wheel / tire set up and most likely fitting Minilite alloys in either an 8x15 or 8x16 size ( as per the Wiggins Teape Camaro. We will also fit new lowered / uprated Big Block front springs, rear uprated / lowered big block leaf springs and probably Koni shocks.
Back in 68, the biggest motor available from the factory for the Camaro, was the 396 CU unit, but the C.2 Stingray got the 427 in 1967.
However, two Chevrolet dealers by the Name of Baldwin Motion and Yenko brought out a 427 powered " Camaro Super Car"
One of Baldwins features was a fibreglass " Stinger Hood", these look awesome, so we may fit one this our car. Very few original Baldwin Motion or Yenko cars have survived and they are $$$$ Expensive.
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wolfracesonic said:
Someone’s exited about their new toy! I think it looks pretty sweet as is, just needs lowering with some more period wheels. Could the 427 be original and have been ordered through the COPO set up?
Thanks wolfracesonic! From what I have read so far, only official dealer ships like Yenko and Baldwin Motion had access to the 427 motor from Chev, but I need to do some more research. Hoping I can contact the previous owner re it's history, but someone has put a lot of work and $$ into this Camaro.And yes, the wheel / tire and ride hight do it no justice at all! We do like the idea of Minilites, like the Wiggins Teape car. A 16in Minilite gives a more modern choice of tire.
) 327/Powerglide with the Fuelie Heads back in the 80’s. Used to get around Stratford a fair bit on the way to Freddie Snide Strides yard over Blackwall Tunnel. 
My uncle had one in the 1980s. Despite my having owned Caterhams (plural) and a TVR Cerbera, the Camaro rates as one of the best cars I've ever been in.
It had been prepped for drag racing, hence the silly wheels. The rear suspension could be pumped up - to pitch the car forward - with a tyre pump. It had a 427 but I don't think the engine it had was its original.
I'd love a one of those pro-mod ones, with fuel injection (on an original 427) and the speed lines (is that what the creases are called coming off the wheel arches). I regret not buying one when they were pennies - they can command a fair price these days.
It had been prepped for drag racing, hence the silly wheels. The rear suspension could be pumped up - to pitch the car forward - with a tyre pump. It had a 427 but I don't think the engine it had was its original.
I'd love a one of those pro-mod ones, with fuel injection (on an original 427) and the speed lines (is that what the creases are called coming off the wheel arches). I regret not buying one when they were pennies - they can command a fair price these days.
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